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GA SB123

GA SB123
Compulsory Attendance; provisions of the state's compulsory school attendance laws; update and revise

summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
02/26/2025
Passed
04/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/28/2025

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, relating to compulsory attendance, so as to update and revise provisions of the state's compulsory school attendance laws; to provide that no student shall be expelled by a public school due solely to absenteeism; to require each student attendance and school climate committee to meet no later than November 1, 2025, and at least twice annually thereafter; to require such committees to adopt certain protocols by June 1, 2026; to authorize such committees to address chronic absenteeism; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for definitions; to require local boards of education adopt policies and procedures for attendance review teams and intervention plans for chronically absent students; to provide for attendance review teams; to provide for reports; to repeal and reenact provisions for students to be excused from school for taking tests and physical exams for military service; to update statutory language and make conforming changes; to amend Code Section 20-4-141 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to establishment of pilot program, awarding of high school diploma to successful participants, skills and knowledge, eligibility for participation, and regulation, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill updates Georgia's compulsory school attendance laws to address chronic absenteeism and improve student engagement. It defines "chronically absent" as a student who misses 10% or more of school days and requires local school systems with high absenteeism rates to establish attendance review teams that will meet monthly to develop intervention plans for students. The bill prohibits expelling students solely due to absences and clarifies definitions of parents and guardians. It mandates that each county's student attendance and school climate committee meet by November 1, 2025, and at least twice annually thereafter, with each committee required to adopt a written student attendance protocol by June 1, 2026. The protocol must detail procedures for identifying, reporting, and addressing attendance issues, and include recommendations for addressing tardiness and chronic absenteeism. The bill also updates language around military-related absences, ensuring students taking military service tests are credited as present and not counted as absent. Starting in 2026, the Department of Education must submit a biennial report to legislative committees detailing county-level compliance, attendance rates, and discipline data. The changes aim to provide more supportive approaches to student attendance while maintaining accountability for both students and school systems.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (22)

Last Action

Effective Date 2025-07-01 (on 04/28/2025)

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